Where do Gordon Setters Come From?
The Gordon Setter is one of the two gundog breeds that are natives of Scotland. Although credit for the existence of the Gordon is given to Alexander, the 4th Duke of Gordon, there are many different stories as to how the breed was actually established. The best known story is that the Duke, realising that his shepherd had a black and white collie bitch who was good at game-finding, mated her to his current Setters, and this resulted in the early Black and White Setters. If this was so, then it would have been an isolated outcross, and have little bearing on future litters. The idea that this is how the breed actually originated has not been proven, and is likely to be nothing more than hearsay, as there were Black and Tan setters in existence from as early as 1600. The seat of the Duke of Gordon was at Gordon Castle, which is sited near to the mouth of the river Spey, close to Fochabers. Sadly, it is today only a ruin, due to a fire at some time in the mid 1980's, but it is still an object of interest to many avid Gordon Setter fans from overseas, who make the journey to visit it as part of a holiday, in the hope of securing a good photograph to add to their Gordons memorabilia. While it is not exactly clear when the 4th Duke began his famous strain of castle setters, it is documented that there were black and fallow setters in Elizabethan times, though this has been disputed as being based on many misquotations from a prolific early 17th century writer.
British Breed Standards
General Appearance
Stylish dog, with galloping lines, consistent with its build, which can be compared to a weight-carrying hunter. Symmertrical in conformation throughout.
Characteristics
Intelligent, able and dignified.
Temperament
Bold, outgoing, of a kindly, even disposition.
The Head
Head deep rarther than broad, but broader than muzzle, showing brain room. Skull slightly rounded, broadest between ears. Clearly defined stop; length from occiput to stop longer than from stop to nose. Below and above eyes lean, cheeks as narrow as leanness of head allows. Muzzle long with almost parallel lines, neither pointed, nor snipey. Flews not pendulous, clearly defined lips. Nose large, broad, nostrils open and black, muzzle not quite as deep as its length.
Eyes
Dark brown, bright. Neither deep nor prominent, set sufficiently under brows, showing keen, intelligent expression.
Ears
Medium size, thin, set low, lying close to head.
Mouth
Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, ie, upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck
Long, lean, arched, without throatiness.
Forequarters
Shoulder blades long, sloping well back, wide flat bone, close at withers, not loaded. Elbows well let down and close to the body. Forelegs flat-boned, straight, strong upright.
The Body
Moderate length, deep brisket, ribs well sprung, back ribs deep, loins wide, slightly arched, chest not too broad.
Hindquarters
From hip to hock long, broad and muscular, hock to heel short, strong stifles well bent, straight from hock joint to ground. Pelvis rending to be horizontal.
Feet
Oval, close knit, well arched toes, plenty of hair between. Well padded toes, deep heel cushions.
Tail
Straight or slightly scimitar, not reaching below hocks. Carried horizontaly or below line of back. Thick at root, tapering to fine point. Feather or flag starting near root, long, straight, growing shorter to point.
Movement
Steady, free moving and true, plenty of drive behind.
Coat
On head, front of legs and tops of ears, fine, moderate length, flat and free from curl or wave on all other parts of the body. Feather on upper portion of ears long and silky, on backs of legs long, fine. flat and straight; fringes on belly may extend to chest and throat. As free as possible from curl or wave.
Colour
Deep shining coal black, without rustiness, with markings of chestnut red ie lustrous tan. Black pencilling on toes and black streak under jaw permissible. "Tan markings"; two clear spots over eyes not over 2 cm in diameter; on sides of muzzle, tan not reaching above base of nose, resembling a stripe around clearly defined end of muzzle from one side to other. Also on throat, two large, clear spots on chest. On inside hindlegs and inside thighs, showing down front of stifle and broadening out to outside the hindlegs from hock to toes; on forelegs, up to elbows behind, and to knees a little above, in front; around vent. Very small white spot on chest permissible. No other colour permissible.
Size
Height: Dogs: 66 cms; Bitches 62 cms: Weight: Dogs: 29.5 kgs; Bitches: 25.5 kg
Stylish dog, with galloping lines, consistent with its build, which can be compared to a weight-carrying hunter. Symmertrical in conformation throughout.
Characteristics
Intelligent, able and dignified.
Temperament
Bold, outgoing, of a kindly, even disposition.
The Head
Head deep rarther than broad, but broader than muzzle, showing brain room. Skull slightly rounded, broadest between ears. Clearly defined stop; length from occiput to stop longer than from stop to nose. Below and above eyes lean, cheeks as narrow as leanness of head allows. Muzzle long with almost parallel lines, neither pointed, nor snipey. Flews not pendulous, clearly defined lips. Nose large, broad, nostrils open and black, muzzle not quite as deep as its length.
Eyes
Dark brown, bright. Neither deep nor prominent, set sufficiently under brows, showing keen, intelligent expression.
Ears
Medium size, thin, set low, lying close to head.
Mouth
Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, ie, upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws.
Neck
Long, lean, arched, without throatiness.
Forequarters
Shoulder blades long, sloping well back, wide flat bone, close at withers, not loaded. Elbows well let down and close to the body. Forelegs flat-boned, straight, strong upright.
The Body
Moderate length, deep brisket, ribs well sprung, back ribs deep, loins wide, slightly arched, chest not too broad.
Hindquarters
From hip to hock long, broad and muscular, hock to heel short, strong stifles well bent, straight from hock joint to ground. Pelvis rending to be horizontal.
Feet
Oval, close knit, well arched toes, plenty of hair between. Well padded toes, deep heel cushions.
Tail
Straight or slightly scimitar, not reaching below hocks. Carried horizontaly or below line of back. Thick at root, tapering to fine point. Feather or flag starting near root, long, straight, growing shorter to point.
Movement
Steady, free moving and true, plenty of drive behind.
Coat
On head, front of legs and tops of ears, fine, moderate length, flat and free from curl or wave on all other parts of the body. Feather on upper portion of ears long and silky, on backs of legs long, fine. flat and straight; fringes on belly may extend to chest and throat. As free as possible from curl or wave.
Colour
Deep shining coal black, without rustiness, with markings of chestnut red ie lustrous tan. Black pencilling on toes and black streak under jaw permissible. "Tan markings"; two clear spots over eyes not over 2 cm in diameter; on sides of muzzle, tan not reaching above base of nose, resembling a stripe around clearly defined end of muzzle from one side to other. Also on throat, two large, clear spots on chest. On inside hindlegs and inside thighs, showing down front of stifle and broadening out to outside the hindlegs from hock to toes; on forelegs, up to elbows behind, and to knees a little above, in front; around vent. Very small white spot on chest permissible. No other colour permissible.
Size
Height: Dogs: 66 cms; Bitches 62 cms: Weight: Dogs: 29.5 kgs; Bitches: 25.5 kg
Gordon Setters Today (Book of the Breed) by Jose Baddeley
This book traces the history of the Gordon Setter from its origins to its role
today as a working gun dog, show dog, and companion dog. Training methods are
outlined which suit the particular temperament of the Gordon Setter, as well as
giving general advice on nutrition, exercise, breeding, and health care. The
breed Standard is analyzed in detail, with special emphasis on type, coat, and
color. Highly recommend this book!!!
today as a working gun dog, show dog, and companion dog. Training methods are
outlined which suit the particular temperament of the Gordon Setter, as well as
giving general advice on nutrition, exercise, breeding, and health care. The
breed Standard is analyzed in detail, with special emphasis on type, coat, and
color. Highly recommend this book!!!